REGULAR MEETING OF THE BOARD OF TRUSTEES OF THE EVERGREEN STATE COLLEGE June 11, 2015 Trustees Attending: Fred Goldberg Irene Gonzales Keith Kessler David Nicandri Anne Proffitt James Wigfall Nicholas Wooten Absent: Gretchen Sorensen Staff Present: Others Present: John Carmichael, Deputy to the President and Secretary to the Board Wendy Endress, Vice President for Student Affairs Julie Garver, Director of Government Relations Lee Hoemann, Vice President for College Advancement John Hurley, Vice President for Finance and Administration Tom Mercado, Director of Student Activities Thomas L. Purce, President Jeanne Rynne, Director of Facilities Steve Trotter, Executive Director of Operational Planning and Budget Amanda Walker, Associate Vice President for Advancement and Executive Director of Foundation Michael Zimmerman, Vice President for Academic Affairs and Provost Jeff Beaulac, GSU Representative to the Board Abir Biswas, Faculty Representative to the Board Jonathan Lindsay, Alumni Representative to the Board Aileen Miller, Assistant Attorney General Susan Musselman, PFM Group Cynthia Weed, K&L Gates Mr. Kessler called the meeting to order at 9:05 a.m.. A quorum was present. He announced that the Board would move into executive session to discuss pending litigation with legal counsel and to discuss collective bargaining. He said the Board would return to an open meeting at 9:30 a.m.. The Board returned to an open meeting as scheduled. Legislative Update Director of Government Relations Julie Garver reported on the continuing 2 nd special session of the legislature. She said that legislative budget proposals have not changed substantially for higher education since the Board s May meeting. The two chambers continue to have different views regarding the need for new revenue, although the gap between the two proposals has closed substantially. 2015-14 Dr. Gonzales made a motion to adopt Resolution 2015-06 delegating to the President the temporary authority to expend funds after June 30, 2015 according to the spending plan adopted by the Board for the 2013-15 biennium, as modified by the Board, and any subsequent legislatively enacted changes. The motion was seconded and passed on a
Board of Trustees 2 June 11, 2015 voice vote. Fee Proposals Relating to the 2015-17 Operating Budget Vice President for Student Affairs Wendy Endress recalled that the Board reviewed a draft Cost of Attendance document at the May meeting, which reflected proposals for fee increases for Services and Activities (S&A); Health and Counseling; and Housing and Dining. She discussed each proposal in turn. Director of Student Activities Tom Mercado described the purpose and general process for setting S&A Fees. He introduced Maxwell Merchant, who chaired the S&A Fee Allocation Board this year. Mr. Merchant described the Board s process leading the recommendation to provide funding for 56 registered student organizations. Dr. Endress introduced Director of Residential and Dining Services Sharon Goodman and Executive Associate Andy Corn. They described a proposal to increase Residence Hall rates by two percent in each year of the biennium and to increase dining rates by an average of 3.5% in each year. The room rate increase will pay for compensation increases, utility rate changes, and deferred maintenance. The dining rate increase was negotiated as part of the contract with the food service provider. Dr. Endress introduced Director of Health and Counseling Elizabeth McHugh. The proposed fee increase for health and counseling services would be six percent in the first year and four percent in the second year of the biennium. In discussion with Trustees, Ms. McHugh and Mr. Corn discussed the effect of the Affordable Care Act, the evolution of service delivery in the college s health and counseling center, access to counseling services, and shortages of service providers for some specialty services in the local area. Housing Bond Refinance The Trustees heard a presentation on a proposed resolution authorizing the college to sell bonds and delegating the authority to the president for the sale to restructure debt. Vice President for Finance and Administration John Hurley and Director of Business Services Dave Kohler were joined by Susan Musselman (PFM Group) and Cynthia Week (K&L Gate) for the presentation. Ms. Musselman summarized the presentation she made on this topic at the Board s May meeting. Ms. Weed explained the proposed resolution. 2015-15 Mr. Goldberg made a motion to approve resolution 2015-03 authorizing the issuance and sale of Housing System Revenue and Refunding Bonds and delegating to the president or his designee the authority for the sale of new bonds described in the resolution for the purpose of restructuring existing housing system debt. The motion was seconded and passed on a voice vote. Capital Projects Vice President for Finance and Administration John Hurley said that the bidding environment for capital construction is very competitive. Director of Facilities Jeanne Rynne said that the bids for the Lecture Hall renovation were higher than anticipated. Consequently, facilities staff will not ask the Board to approve a Guaranteed Maximum Price for the project. Facilities staff will continue to negotiate with the General Contractor/Construction Manager and explore options for
Board of Trustees 3 June 11, 2015 subcontractor bids that exceeded expectations. Action on this will be scheduled for the July 8 meeting. Ms. Rynne reported that the bids for repairing pedestrian bridges in the Seminar II building came in within budget. She recommended that the Board delegate authority to proceed with the project, contingent on a final, legislative capital budget. 2015-16 Mr. Wigfall made a motion to approve resolution 2015-06 delegating authority for the Seminar II Bridge Renovation project. The motion was seconded and passed on a voice vote. Ms. Rynne provided an update on the status of other capital projects. President s Report President Purce invited Jeff Beaulac to report as the Geoduck Student Union (GSU) representative to the board. Mr. Beaulac said that five members from this year s GSU will return next year. The recent election filled nine seats for the 19 open positions. The GSU has established a new government liaison position, which Mr. Beaulac will fill next year. President Purce invited Abir Biswas to report as the faculty representative to the board. Dr. Biswas said the year had involved some intensive governance work for faculty. He highlighted the presidential search and the strategic plan. He reflected on the experience of introducing candidates for faculty positions to the college, who are often very favorably impressed with the physical campus and other resources available. He thanked the president and the trustees for their work to provide these resources to the faculty and students. Dr. Biswas introduced Sandra Yannone, who served as chair of the faculty agenda committee this year and will be the faculty s liaison to the Board next year. Ms. Yannone, on behalf of the faculty and the Agenda Committee, thanked President Purce for his services to the college. President Purce invited Jonathan Lindsay to report as the alumni representative to the board. Mr. Lindsay described the work of the Associated Friends and Alumni of Evergreen and work to deepen connections among the alumni office, the GSU, and the career development office. President Purce asked Amanda Walker, Associate Vice President for Advancement and Executive Director of Foundation, to provide an update. Ms. Walker reported that the Foundation will reach its annual goal for contributions this year. She described new members joining the Board of Governors and the Foundation staff. Public Comment Mr. Kessler invited public comment. There was none. Chair s Report Mr. Kessler said that he appreciated the opportunity to serve as chair of the Board and looked forward to handing the gavel to Mr. Goldberg. He presented President Purce with a DVD of the Senate floor action honoring President Purce s service to Evergreen and to the state. Minutes
Board of Trustees 4 June 11, 2015 2015-17 Dr. Gonzales made a motion to approve the minutes of the May meeting as presented. The motion was seconded and passed on a voice vote. Student Trustee Report Mr. Kessler invited Nicholas Wooten to report as student Trustee. Mr. Wooten described recent work of the Clean Energy Committee, efforts to update the Climate Action Plan, and a student initiative to collect a fee to support academic programs. He thanked the trustees for being welcoming, listening, and providing an opportunity to learn. On behalf of the Board, President Purce thanked Mr. Wooten for his service on the Board. Recognition of Retiring Faculty and Others The meeting moved to Seminar II, C1107. President Purce asked the Board to adopt Resolution 2015-07 recognizing the service of Julie Garver as Director of Government Relations who was leaving the college after eight years to become Associate Director for Academic Policy at the Council of Presidents. 2015-18 Ms. Proffitt made a motion to approve resolution 2015-07 recognizing the contributions of Julie Garver. The motion was seconded and passed on a voice vote. President Purce asked the Board to adopt Resolution 2015-08 recognizing the service of Paul Gallegos, Special Assistant for Diversity Affairs, who was retiring after twenty-one years of service to the college. 2015-19 Dr. Gonzales made a motion to approve resolution 2015-08 recognizing the contributions of Paul Gallegos. The motion was seconded and passed on a voice vote. Academic Vice President and Provost Michael Zimmerman, on behalf of the faculty, recommended that the Board confer the title of Emeritus Member of the Faculty on Michelle Aguilar-Wells, Jeff Antonellis- Lapp, Clyde Barlow, Judy Cushing, John Filmer, Jean Mandeberg, Larry Mosqueda, and Sarah Pedersen. 2015-20 2015-21 2015-22 2015-23 2015-24 Dr. Gonzales made a motion to adopt Resolution 2015-09 appointing Michelle Aguilar- Wells as Mr. Wooten made a motion to adopt Resolution 2015-10 appointing Jeff Antonellis- Lapp as Mr. Goldberg made a motion to adopt Resolution 2015-11 appointing Clyde Barlow as Ms. Proffitt made a motion to adopt Resolution 2015-12 appointing Judy Cushing as Dr. Gonzales made a motion to adopt Resolution 2015-13 appointing John Filmer as
Board of Trustees 5 June 11, 2015 2015-25 2015-26 2015-27 Mr. Goldberg made a motion to adopt Resolution 2015-14 appointing Jean Mandeberg as Mr. Wigfall made a motion to adopt Resolution 2015-15 appointing Larry Mosqueda as Mr. Nicandri made a motion to adopt Resolution 2015-16 appointing Sarah Pedersen as Dr. Zimmerman presented a gift to each of the new Emeritus Faculty members and Mr. Kessler invited the recipients present to say a few words. Recognition of President Purce Mr. Kessler made a motion to adopt Resolution 2015-17 recognizing the contributions 2015-27 of President Purce and designating the Lecture Hall Building as Purce Hall. The motion was seconded and passed on a voice vote. The meeting adjourned at 3:30 p.m. Fred Goldberg, Chair Dave Nicandri, Secretary